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NBA Awards Watch: Week 10

By Jared Brownlee

Jan 4, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) hugs Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love (42) after the game at Target Center. The Thunder won 115-111. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) hugs Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love (42) after the game at Target Center. The Thunder won 115-111. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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This is week 10 of the 2013-14 regular season edition of HoopsHabit’s NBA Awards Watch. Throughout the season, we cover the potential winners for each award. Make sure to check back every Monday for the up-to-date projections.

Most Valuable Player

  1. Kevin Durant
  2. LeBron James
  3. Kevin Love

Durant and James are the only two players in the league averaging at least 25 points, six rebounds and six assists. On Saturday against the Timberwolves, Durant’s 48-point, seven-rebound and seven-assist performance was one of the league’s best showings all season as he continues to carry the Thunder with Russell Westbrook out. Love filled the stat sheet as well with 30 points, 14 rebounds and five assists.

Most Improved Player

  1. Eric Bledsoe
  2. Anthony Davis
  3. Andre Drummond

Bledsoe is expected to miss at least of week of action with a knee injury. At home against the Trail Blazers, Davis was matched up against LaMarcus Aldridge (an MVP candidate in his own right) and finished with 27 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks. Drummond’s numbers from last season to this season: 7.9 to 12.9 PPG, 7.6 to 12.4 RPG (fourth in the league).

Rookie of the Year

  1. Michael Carter-Williams
  2. Trey Burke
  3. Victor Oladipo

Carter-Williams is currently ranked second in steals with 2.86 per game and 11th in assists per game. Burke has made the jump to surpass Oladipo in the rookie rankings, averaging more than 13 points and five assists a game. Oladipo’s numbers have been on a slight decline and he’s now averaging 12.8 PPG.

Sixth Man of the Year

  1. Jamal Crawford
  2. Nick Young
  3. Rodney Stuckey

J-Crossover finished with 24 points and seven assists in a blowout loss to the Spurs on Saturday night. Out in Hollywood, Young’s scoring numbers are rising each week and he’s now at 16.5 PPG. Stuckey has been battling injuries for the past two weeks but is averaging 14.0 PPG.

Defensive Player of the Year

  1. Anthony Davis
  2. Roy Hibbert
  3. Serge Ibaka

Davis’ activity on defense was evident against the Trail Blazers where he had five blocks while matching up with Aldridge for the majority of the night. He remains the NBA’s best shot blocker at 3.2 per game. This past week, Hibbert had five blocks twice – once against Davis’ Pelicans and the other against the Cavaliers. Ibaka is averaging 2.3 BPG.